Tackling anti social behaviour, abuse, hate crimes and violent crime, head onMaking West Midlands safer is a challenging task so I have identified the following key areas that I believe taint peoples’ lives. Low level crime and anti social behaviour can, if not tackled, develop into an escalating pattern of violent behaviour which causes fear and concern in communities.

Abuse can take many forms however I will concentrate on tackling key areas including rape and sexual assault, domestic violence, forced marriage and honour based violence, adult and child abuse including the exploitation of children.

Hate crime is an extreme manifestation of prejudice and discrimination which can have a devastating effect on individuals and communities. Hate crime occurs when individuals are targeted because of their disability, race or ethnic identity, religion or belief, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, immigration status or nationality. Intolerance is at the heart of how individuals treat each other and how they live together in diverse communities. Being tolerant and defending the vulnerable is a key activity to maintain social cohesion and keeping people safe. Violent crime can range from gang violence to incidents of assault with or without weapons through to domestic assault. Almost half the incidents of violent crime are associated with alcohol which is an area that can be tackled by robust partnership work with many organisations including the Wellbeing Boards, PCT’s, Education and licensed premises as well as off licences.

I will:

Not allow this behaviour to flourish. This will require you, the police and other partners to work with me to eliminate this activity from your neighbourhood

Develop forums to tackle these issues with a particular focus on protecting people in later life and younger people

Together with partners review the investigation and management of rape and sexual offences to provide the best service possible including the provision of Sexual Assault Referral Centres and support for survivors

Together with other agencies develop a coordinated prevention and reduction response to the alcohol abuse associated with violent criminality, minimising the impact on individuals and communities